U.S. stocks moved slightly higher Thursday as markets calmed after a recent bout of turmoil. Investors were encouraged by comments from European Central Bank policymakers, who said they were willing to provide more stimulus to the region’s economy, if needed.

Investors now turn to Friday, when a key jobs report will be released that could help determine whether or not the Federal Reserve raises interest rates this month.

“There’s a lot of trepidation in the market over what the Fed will do, and it’s only getting worse as we get closer to the meeting,” said Kristina Hooper, head of investment strategies at Allianz Global Investors. The Fed’s two-day meeting begins Sept. 16.

Stocks started the day solidly higher, but momentum waned as the day dragged on. Major indexes dipped briefly into the red by midafternoon before ending mostly higher.

Investors were initially encouraged by news out of the ECB, where President Mario Draghi said the bank is ready to give the eurozone a bigger dose of stimulus should inflation across the 19-country bloc fail to pick up. Along with keeping interest rates low, the ECB is pumping 60 billion euros a month into the region’s economy through purchases of government and corporate bonds. The program is slated to run at least through next September.

“Draghi said in 2012 he would do whatever it takes to grow the eurozone economy, and he’s holding to that promise,” said Quincy Krosby, a market strategist at Prudential Financial.

At the same time the ECB is stimulating Europe’s economy, the Federal Reserve could raise U.S. interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis. While chances of a September interest rate increase have diminished because of signs of weakening global growth and a sell-off in Chinese stocks, many believe the growing U.S. economy may be ready to withstand higher interest rates.

Friday’s jobs report for August — a key gauge of how the U.S. economy is doing — could play a big role in guiding that decision by the Fed. Economists are forecasting that employers created 220,000 jobs last month and that the unemployment rate fell to 5.2 percent.

The price of oil followed the stock market higher. U.S. crude rose 50 cents to close at $46.75 a barrel in New York.

Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils used by many U.S. refineries, rose 18 cents to close at $50.68 a barrel in London.

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